
pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the
ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.' Eph. 4:11, 12. This scrip-
ture shows that there are to be different workers, different instrumental-
ities. Each has a different work. No one is required to lay hold of an-
other's work, and, though untrained, try to do it. God has given to each
according to his ability. One man may think that his position gives him
authority to dictate to other workers, but this is not so. Ignorant of their
work, he would enlarge where he should retrench, and retrench where he
should enlarge, because he can see only the part of the vineyard where he
is
working."—Testimonies,
vol. 8, pp. 170, 171.
ILLUSTRATION: It Takes All of
Us. "The conference is not one member,
but many. If the literature evangelist shall say, 'Because I am not the
preacher, I am not of the conference' is he therefore not of the confer-
ence? And if the doctor shall say, 'Because I am not the educational
worker, I am not of the conference,' is he therefore not of the conference?
If the whole conference were an educational worker, where were the
evangelists? If the whole conference were the publishing department,
where were the medical workers? But how hath God set medical and edu-
cational institutional workers, field workers, department secretaries,
pastors, evangelists, and office helpers, every one of them, in the confer-
ence as it hath pleased Him. And if they were all one member, where
were the conference? But now are they many members, yet but one con-
ference; and the teacher cannot say to the colporteur, 'I have no need of
thee,' nor again the evangelist to the medical worker, 'I have no need of
thee.' But God hath tempered the body together, that there be no schism
in the conference; but that all members should have the same care for one
another.—Adapted from 1 Corinthians 12:14-21, 24, 25.
"They helped every one his neighbor; and every one said to his brother,
Be of good courage. So the preacher encouraged the colporteur, and he
that worked in the surgery him that taught in the classroom, saying,
`World conditions are ripe for His coming. Let us join our hearts and
hands for the finishing of the work.'—Adapted from Isaiah 41:6, 7."—
R.
H. Pierson,
501 Illustrations and Stories
(Nashville, Tenn.: Southern
Publishing Association, 1965), p. 90.
SUMMARY:
The church today exhibits an amazing amount of diversity
as it spans the barriers of culture, language, and race. To bring about har-
mony is a miracle of divine grace, the grace given freely to all. The unity
that arises out of such striking diversity is no accident, but it results from
the members of the body placing themselves under the absolute control
of Christ, the Head. "If the world sees a perfect harmony existing in the
church of God, it will be a powerful evidence to them in favor of the
Christian religion.
"—Testimonies,
vol. 4, p. 19.
APPLICATION:
What are some ways I can work together with my fellow
members that will contribute to unity in my church? Do I sometimes dic-
tate what I think ought to be the work and responsibilities of others, thus
forcing others into my mold of thought and action; not allowing them to
be themselves?
62